Harborough Topple League Leaders

Harborough travelled to Lutterworth on a typically wet autumnal day. A large crowd had gathered for this highly anticipated local derby. With Lutterworth top of the league and Harborough placed third, this was surely going to be a competitive match.

The supporters were not to be disappointed!

From the kick off Lutterworth put Harborough under immense pressure in the wet ‘soggy’ conditions. Lutterworth were dominating up front, releasing ample ball to run great lines at the visitors defence. Things looked ominous for the Black Cats as the home side ran in two tries and the wind had well and truly been taken out of Harborough’s sails. A Tom Claffey penalty slightly reduced the arrears and Harborough were on the scoreboard.

In the lead up to half time with the home side leading 20-3, Lutterworth attacked from a line out close to the Harborough try line. A third try here would of effectively have been ‘curtains’ and ‘gameover’ for the visitors. Lutterworth first half dominance would have been total and complete.

The ever combative Josh Purnell put his body on the line to win the ball as an attacker was isolated on the floor. A 'not releasing penalty' for Harborough allowed them to clear their lines. It also released the pressure and gave the visitors the respite they required.

The half time whistle blew and Harborough retreated to their ‘corner’ to regroup.

What happened in the next forty minutes will go down in Market Harborough folk law. A simply amazing turnaround.

Slowly the invigorated youthful Harborough forwards started to get on top of the Lutterworth pack. Harborough began to win clean ball and ran the ball at speed, leading to Olly Dawson opening the Black Cats try account. Some really impactful substitutions continued to rally the visitors cause. The large contingent of Harborough supporters were starting to believe that a comeback was possible. More importantly the players visibly began to have faith in their mission!! Joe Lafferty continued his great form this season with two tries. One was a brilliant left footed kick from Tom Claffey, which took out the Lutterworth back line, and there was the 'Lafferty Roadrunner' to finish it off.

The nerves were shredded and the blood pressure chart was only heading one way – skywards. In the final minute with the score at 20 points apiece, Harborough were awarded a penalty. It was within kicking distance of the posts and success would complete an unforeseen comeback.

The hushed crowd looked on in disbelief as the ball struck the right upright and bounced back into field. Jack Brown summoned up an athletic leap, which would have graced many a basketball court, flicking the ball back into Harborough hands. Like many of the charging runs in the County Cup Final, the hurtling ‘unstoppable’ frame of Jack Digby, crashed over the Lutterworth line to score the winning try.
A remarkable ending to an extraordinary game.